Yet Another LERN ME: 1972-80 Dodge Truck Edition

I've been looking for over a year to move on from my current weekend bomber Dodge Dakota, and I've looked at all sorts of stuff but I never took anything home for various reasons. One thing has become apparent: I've hit my mid-30's and I've attained the natural urge to find a cool, old, half-ton truck. I don't really have brand loyalty, but old square body Chevys (and even GMT400's) that are somewhat salvageable are insanely priced these days, and Fords aren't too far behind.

That leaves Dodge. You know, these:

I'm familiar with them, as members of my family had tons of them while I was growing up, and I always liked them. A friend of mine bought a 1972 D100 and tossed in a 440 and a 4-speed and it's ALL of the awesome. I have been looking for a 1972-93 for a while now, but I especially like the earlier 1972-80 models. The best part is that when they do pop up, they are thousands cheaper than their Ford and GM counterparts. And while I'm familiar with them, I still need to do my due diligence on knowing what's up with these before I fork over the cash for one. 

Here's what I do know:

-They changed some body trim at some point between 1972-80, I think around 1977-78. At one point they offered a stacked quad headlight grille, but I don't know when the switch happened. 

-I've heard that 4WD ones have "full time 4WD". Is it basically AWD with Low and High, or something entirely different?

-I know they were offered with the Slant 6, 318, 360, and 440 (until 1978). All seem to be stout engines, and I doubt I can find one in range with the big block. Anything to know about these? Common issues? 

-I know that the roofs like to rust near the rain rails, but where else do these things rust? 

Other than that stuff, what else should I be looking for? 

Thanks GRM Hive Mind for indulging me yet again. 

My FIL has an 80 and an 81 (or maybe an 81 and an 82, I forget)

They're fine. the 81 was an automatic A904, and it got a 360 stuffed in front of it and after many years, he killed it hauling way too much wood up a hill down at his cousin's place. That, and a fussy tailgate lever, are pretty much the only problems he's had with them, including rust, in all the years he's owned them.

It is possible his manual 4 speed, 6 cylinder one may be for sale once we get the auto trans one sorted out.  In any case, I would be looking well South of Virginia or in the SouthWest for one of these.

The red ones with the smoke stacks are the fastest.

Berk, you made me realize even though I'm obsessed with these trucks can offer no usable advice on the 72-80 trucks. I know 12 valve cummins, small and big block mopar are all bolt in swaps on any of these trucks. 46rh or 47rh is simple too other than running switches for OD and converter lockup.

I don't do 4wd so I don't know anything about the transfer case question.

Up to 74 was an NP205 part time 4wd

75-79 was an NP203 full time 4wd

Both I believe are divorced transfer cases

NP203 was attached in the automatic trucks for sure, manual transmission trucks were kinda all over the map. It is essentially an AWD system that includes a low range and locked mode. They got a bad rap because the 203 isn't terribly robust and because they get terrible, terrible fuel economy.  

Any of the big blocks can go in, 361-440, with the right oil pan and exhaust manifolds.  The car water pump housings have the lower radiator hose on the opposite side for the truck, and the radiator and front accessory drive parts are different as a result.  Just make sure you get everything with the motor and buy a radiator to match if you are going to do a swap.

The issue with the big block is that it has a different bell housing bolt pattern than the small block.  That means only big block transmissions,  and despite the big block being the perfect engine for massive overdrive there aren't really any direct bolt up options that will hold up. 

Full time 4wd and 2wd trucks will be 5x4.5" bolt pattern wheels, and part time 4wd will be 5x5.5". You can mix and match parts to get either pattern for wheels and such.

The quad headlight was 78 or 79 only and kinda tough to find. 

I was never a fan of them when they were new, but I've recently fallen so hard for the Mopar Muscle Truck that I've started noticing old D-100s everywhere. They are almost all long beds and in terrible condition though.

And I refer to the driver of each and every one as "Dulcich". In fact, I have started to referring to these trucks in general as "Dulciches".

In reply to Woody :

That truck is basically perfect in my eyes.

Quad rectangular headlights are '79 and '80, but as an option.   The standard grille had a single round headlight per side.  

1979 had a mostly (anodized) aluminum look, whereas '80 had the grille openings blacked out.

'79 Quad headlight-



'80-

1980 with round headlights-



 

203 was never a divorced T-case.

I think there were Plymouth versions of these for a couple of years, though I may be wrong. I know there was a TrailDuster version of the Ramcharger.

As for rust, the roof, rockers, cab corners, and cab supports are all suspect.  The rear wheelwell lips are highly susceptible on the  Sweptline beds.  Big block waterpump housings as well as radiators are readily available with lower hose locations on either side, so I wouldn't worry about that.  The brake booster can interfere with the valve cover on the RB (440/426/413) engines, so that is something to keep in mind.  I've used a JW Trans Ultrabell to swap in a small block A518 in the past, so that isn't a deal breaker, either.  Just keep in mind that if you want to run an 11" torque converter you will have to do some modifications to the bellhousing.  


If you don't mind a longbed, you can save quite a bit over the shortbed models.  All of the D/W series Dodges are steadily on their way up, however, so if you are going to jump, you need to make your move soon.  Also, get the best body you can, travel if you have to.  My buddy and I went to from Chicago to SoCal for this pair of SWB D100s; my silver '78 is on the trailer, and my friend's red '77 is in the background.



 

In reply to Woody :

No Plymouth pickup trucks in the US, just the TD from '74-81.  

 

Brett_Murphy said:

My FIL has an 80 and an 81 (or maybe an 81 and an 82, I forget)

They're fine. the 81 was an automatic A904, and it got a 360 stuffed in front of it and after many years, he killed it hauling way too much wood up a hill down at his cousin's place. That, and a fussy tailgate lever, are pretty much the only problems he's had with them, including rust, in all the years he's owned them.

It is possible his 4 speed, 6 cylinder one may be for sale once we get the auto trans one sorted out.  In any case, I would be looking well South of Virginia or in the SouthWest for one of these.

As I have stated several times before, the 904 is not an overdrive trans.  Furthermore, no overdrive automatic transmission was available in '81.

There was a time I wanted a Canadian Fargo grille on one of my squares.

Tony Sestito said:

Here's what I do know:

-They changed some body trim at some point between 1972-80, I think around 1977-78. At one point they offered a stacked quad headlight grille, but I don't know when the switch happened. 

-I've heard that 4WD ones have "full time 4WD". Is it basically AWD with Low and High, or something entirely different?

-I know they were offered with the Slant 6, 318, 360, and 440 (until 1978). All seem to be stout engines, and I doubt I can find one in range with the big block. Anything to know about these? Common issues? 

-I know that the roofs like to rust near the rain rails, but where else do these things rust? 

Other than that stuff, what else should I be looking for? 

Thanks GRM Hive Mind for indulging me yet again. 

Some other replies-

The hood changed in 1979 from the "Bird Bath" hood to the design used all the way up to '93, but the fenders and rest of the body panels are basically the same (there was an indentation added around the outer door handles added in the mid '70s, but otherwise the doors are basically the same) The Bird Bath hood can be swapped to the later models if you use the corresponding wiper cowl, and fiddle with the latch a bit.

The dash and inner door panels also changed around '75, but you can swap earlier for later, and vice versa. I'm swapping a pair of early style metal inner door panels into my '78 Rancharger in place of the later plastic ones it came with.

Early style dash and door panels


The full time 203 was from '74-'79, so if you you would be looking at a '72-73, or an '80 if you wanted a 1.2 ton 4wd without it.  Or you can swap.

I personally would stay away from from the slant six, unless you only wanted to occasionally drive it around town.  All the other engines are robust enough fr modern day use, and take to upgrades easily and cheaply.  Replace the timing chain, unless you know for a fact it was replaced in the past couple years.

Oh, and check for rust next to the frame mounted fuel tank (if so equipped).   This is something that isn't very common, but common enough to be a heartbreaker.  Check for cracks where the steering box mounts to the frame, especially on 4wd models.



I'm sure I will remember more later...

Daylan C said:

There was a time I wanted a Canadian Fargo grille on one of my squares.

The '77-78 Trailduster grille is near unobtainium these days.

My dad had two of these except they read sno commander on the stripe.  One was newish with headers, loud pipes and not plow, the other was several years later, a rusty plow truck.  I don't know the full specs of the package but they were both 360 autos.

Unlike GM and Ford trucks there is little in the way of repro parts for these. More important to buy a complete truck than with other brands.

I've also started to look at these with more respect since Dulcich put that stepside together.

A 401 CJ said:

The red ones with the smoke stacks are the best known.

FTFY, I’ve had two LRT, a couple Warlocks and a Silver Series also. I grew up in an extended cab long bed that my dad bought new and a 78 Trailduster that my mom bought new. I’ve always preferred the 80’s early 90’s styling. The aftermarket has really grown in the last ten years but if you buy a beater expect to be piecing used parts together to make it nice.

my last first gen:

And the one before that

Meh.  All I’ve seen so far in this thread are just little pathetic Nancy-boy girly man trucks.

use that cab as it was intended:

Edit: that cab looks older.  Who knew?

https://bangshift.com/bangshiftxl/ebay-find-this-1974-dodge-big-horn-semi-truck-is-a-very-rare-and-very-cool-find/

Here’s one for $3k

This one might be a better starting point for a project at $1k though. 

Or this one for $2k

Although this one with a camper for $2500 may be a good idea, since I have a hunch you might be sleeping in it for a while...

There are about a half-dozen more I see on FB at a glance too, and you’re always welcome to crash here if you’re doing a fly-n-drive. 

Cooter said:

As I have stated several times before, the 904 is not an overdrive trans.  Furthermore, no overdrive automatic transmission was available in '81.

As noted, he has two of them: an automatic and a manual. The 4 speed is a manual. I have no idea of the ratios. Sorry if it is unclear, I've edited it to make it more clear.

If anyone is looking for a 2wd short box frame, or a decent 80s cab and front end, or a quad headlight front end, or a homemade stepside bed, or a big block and matching transmission or the whole works they should pm me. I could put together a heck of a some assembly required package out of spare parts. 

Thanks for the info everyone!  Keep it coming! 

Although they are on the rise, they are still a lot cheaper than the GM or Ford offerings, and I actually think I like them better. I'm either looking for a nice 2WD short bed to build a "Muscle Truck" from, or a long bed 4WD that I can slightly lift and conquer the state of Massachusetts in. I'm also considering an "Old Man Truck" 2WD long bed with a vintage cap/topper. I just missed one of those a couple weeks back, and it stings. It needed some help, but it was sooooooo clean. 

I have a few local offerings I may check out very soon, but if they fall through, I may have something shipped here in the near future.